Invitation — Psalm 47:5-7
"God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise."
Quiet
Bible Song — Psalm 100
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Bible Reading — John 14:23-29
Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
"All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
"You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe."
Quiet
Dwelling
Remind yourself you are in God's presence and read again ... notice how God might be speaking to you through his Word — dwell on a word or phrase that jumps out at you ... let your heart respond to God in prayer ... take refreshment in God's presence.
Free Prayer
- for resurrection hope and joy
- for sharing the good news of the living Jesus
The Lord's Prayer
Prayer — WC 1.6
Jesus, Word of God: thank you for the parting gift of a resident teacher, the Holy Spirit, who makes your teaching plain. While I can read the printed words in the Bible, at times they seem no more than ink, nor do they jump off the page into my life. I ask for the inward illumination and personal tutoring of the Holy Spirit to help me understand your teaching and live your word well in all the complexities of my life today. Amen.
Blessing — Matthew 28:19-20
"Go and make disciples of all nations... And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."